"The lead just kept shrinking.

Slowly, surely, it seemed the Oklahoma City Thunder appeared destined to suffer the same fate it did in Game 1 of this Western Conference Finals.

Thirteen … 10 … eight.

Soon, the petrifying memory of the previous year's trip to this round reared its head.

The season was reaching its brink.

Six … four … two.

That's when Russell Westbrook hit a jump shot that restored all faith that this game, and perhaps this year, would be different.